(A) When a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of mayor as a result of death, resignation, illness, disability, forfeiture of office, written court order, or other lawful written order or action, such vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the following procedures:
(1) By appointment of the majority of the remaining members within sixty (60) days. If the majority of the remaining members of the City Council fail to fill the vacancy through appointment within the sixty-day period, a special election to fill the vacancy shall be called and held in a manner coordinated by the City Clerk with the Supervisor of Elections and adopted by resolution of the City Council. All vacancy elections will run concurrent with the regularly scheduled city elections. Appointments will be to serve until the next general election cycle.
(2) The vacancy shall be announced at not less than two (2) public meetings of council. A solicitation period of thirty (30) days, or as close thereto, shall be given for the receipt of applications. When the number of applications received exceeds the number of vacant positions, each councilmember shall rank the individuals from 1 - __, with Number 1 representing the councilmember's first choice. Council may decide prior to the initial ranking, to have additional rounds of voting at a subsequent meeting. If there are five (5) or more applicants, only the five (5) applicants receiving the lowest ranking shall advance to a subsequent round of voting. Council shall then rank the applicants and the applicant receiving the lowest total shall fill the vacancy. In the event of a tie, the applicant with the highest number shall be eliminated and Council shall then rank the remaining applicants. Appointments shall be made at a public council meeting following the two announcements, or if no applications are received within the time frame designated, at a special council meeting called for that purpose.
(Ord. 2012-47, passed 12-20-12; Am. Ord. 2023-10, passed 4-6-23)